Mar., 1892. 
NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY’S REPORT. 
68 
new members, to replace those lost by decease and resigna¬ 
tion, and the funds show a satisfactory balance in hand, 
The Annual Conversazione of the Society was held on 
December 15th, in the Physics Laboratory of Mason College, 
a room very conveniently situated, and well suited for the 
purpose, having the great advantage of the electric light, for 
the use of which, and for great facilities in the arrangements, 
the Society is specially indebted to Dr. Poynting. The 
attendance at the Conversazione was exceptionally large, and 
the exhibition was of unusual interest. The Society was 
indebted to Dr. Lapworth for a selection of Fossil Crinoids, 
&c. ; to Professor Hillhouse for a Botanical exhibit; to 
Mr. J. B. Stone for an extremely valuable and interesting 
selection from the natural history specimens, photographs, and 
curiosities collected in his recent visit to Japan, Ceylon, 
&c.; and to Mr. R. W. Chase for a complete collection of 
British hawks and owls, a collection of fifty nests of different 
birds in each of which the cuckoo had laid an egg, and a col¬ 
lection of American snakes. Mr. F. W, North, of Rowley Regis, 
lent a very valuable collection of diamonds in the matrix from 
the Kimberley mines of South Africa; and a special interest 
was added to the exhibit by a fine series of photographs, 
illustrating the various processes employed at those mines, 
which were kindly lent by Mr. Charles Cochrane, of Stour¬ 
bridge. Mr. Spicer exhibited a fine collection of birds, 
animals, and skins; Mr. Hunt a collection of insects, &c., 
from Natal, which was of great merit; and Miss Gingell a 
series of beautifully-executed coloured drawings of plants, 
fungi, &c. A case of sponges from Mr. Allport; a marine 
aquarium, with sea anemones, by Mr.Blakemore ; a collection 
of corals by Mr. Carpenter ; and Mr. Tye’s fine collection 
of Stalk-eyed Crustacea, were specially interesting. Photo¬ 
graphy was well represented by Mr. A. W. Wills, in his 
Burmese pictures ; by Mr. Gray, of Belfast, in his -Irish 
views; and by Mr. Watson, Mr. Iliff, and Mr. Brasier in 
lantern slides and stereoscopic pictures ; the microscopic 
exhibit was also remarkably good and interesting. The 
handsome floral decorations of the room were kindly 
contributed by Mr. Spinks, of Hewitt and Co. 
An excursion was made to Apley Park and Badger Dingle 
on Saturday, June 20th, which was attended by thirty-two 
members and friends, and proved very pleasant and enjoyable, 
the only fault being that the time was too short for all that 
had to be seen. The party went by train to Shifnal, first 
visiting the old church, and then driving to Badger and 
walking through the charming Dingle ; they then drove to 
Apley and walked along the elevated terrace, admiring the 
